Over on the site for the e-zine the zen space (edited by our client Marie Marshall) spring is stirring. What has stirred it is a collection of haiku and ‘short-burst’ poetry by some of the best modern exponents, plus a translation of a classical greek fragment, and a collection of marker-pen mandalas.
Do you write haiku, or any form of short poetry? Would you like to submit something? Marie says “I am always on the lookout for fresh talent.” She told us, “Contributors should email me if they have something for my consideration. Please don’t leave a contribution in a comment box – I have to delete those, I’m afraid, as they don’t go through the editorial process. Anyhow, I tell people be bright, be light, be dark, be profound, but be brief!”
the zen space Spring Showcase may be found here.
Carmen’s short story ‘The Wanderer’ 
I remember the very first time I ever read the Standard. I was house-hunting in Bromsgrove and it seemed like a good idea to read the local newspaper to get a flavour of what life could be like here. It was also the first time I had encountered a local newspaper, since none of the cities I had lived in before [Glasgow, London, Birmingham] had published anything so closely linked to the lives of its inhabitants.
The distinction between a national newspaper and a local one, is more than just a difference in the types of articles they cover, for the disparity lies not just in scale but in proximity. The Standard knows its readers [‘demographics’ to other newspapers] better than just by their bank balances and the size of their homes – it knows their hearts, the things that make them tick, their whims and their foibles and it knows this because the people who write for it are local too. 
Our client Carmen Capuano has a lot to be smiling about this Christmas. “Professionally I have had a really good year. I have written two young adult books and a chick-lit book to add to my sci-fi series and next year I hope to return to The Owners to continue the series!”
These events are the icing on the cake for Carmen who, as we reported, has just signed to publishers P’kaboo this year. “I am delighted to be working with this publisher to bring out my novel Split Decision. Having been self-published until now, I have always enjoyed the autonomy that this afforded me but I am relishing the fresh challenges that being with a traditional publisher will provide.”
Marie Marshall wishes us a ‘Cold, Undead Christmas’ 
Just the other day, reviewer Nikki Mason published a quick but glowing review of Lyz Russo’s Solar Wind IV: Raider. You can find the review over at 
Our client Carmen Capuano‘s new novel Split Decision has been taken up by P’kaboo Publishers, and is due out early in 2015. We’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile our congratulations go to Carmen, and also to P’kaboo on their choice!
Bookseeker Literary Agency 